Magic in a Winter Wonder World with 1,648 pictures

[BippityBoo]

LOVE the update!! Sooo cool about the HM elevator. I always wondered about that!

We LOVED CBJ on our last trip. It is timeless.

SCORE on Dumbo! How great that you just walked up.

Just wondering...how is it watching Wishes from FL? It looks like it was a good view

 

[MickeyisBeast]

I've always wondered about HM's stretching room! They really make it hard to tell if you're going down, or the walls going up...

I'm so jealous you didn't have to wait in line for Dumbo! When we did it in April, we waited forty minutes to ride it

 

[disney<333]

LOVE the update!! Sooo cool about the HM elevator. I always wondered about that!

We LOVED CBJ on our last trip. It is timeless.

SCORE on Dumbo! How great that you just walked up.

Just wondering...how is it watching Wishes from FL? It looks like it was a good view

Thanks, Katie!
I'm a sucker for Disney classics.
I couldn't believe that Dumbo had no line! The seats were wet though so, we had to sit on ponchos.
I really did not like it. I would say avoid watching from TL and FL. In FL we had to keep turning out heads which was really annoying. TL, there are all these annoying little mountains blocking the fireworks. My favorite spot to watch is the walk-way going from HM to BTM/Splash! Hope this helps.

I've always wondered about HM's stretching room! They really make it hard to tell if you're going down, or the walls going up...

I'm so jealous you didn't have to wait in line for Dumbo! When we did it in April, we waited forty minutes to ride it

I thought it was cool to know and it makes total sense now.
40 minutes!? I could never! I really do not believe in waiting more then 25 minutes for a little 1 minute ride.

 

[All7OfUs]

I love it! Blood everywhere.

What a magical spin on an empty Dumbo!! How fun!

 

[MeMom]

We decided to stay in FL bc we were really tired. It sucked from here. It was was raining and we ha to keep turning our heads. Some of the fireworks were coming from behind IASW and some were coming from the castle. We were by Snow White. I really do NOT

Yeah, it's less than magical from there. It has a bit of a war zone feel to it.

 

[disney<333]

I love it! Blood everywhere.

What a magical spin on an empty Dumbo!! How fun!

I don't think you would of loved if you had to take them home.
It was very fun! It's not very often when you have a park to yourself.

Yeah, it's less than magical from there. It has a bit of a war zone feel to it.

That's a nice way to put it.
**************
I'm chaperoning Emily's one day field trip to Island's of Adventure in one week from today. The kids are aloud to go around with friends and chaperones go around by themselves. It was free, so I figured why not. Anyway, we're predicted to have a 60% chance of rain!
Update tonight! It's been an insane week with graduations, volleyball games, band concerts, band banquets, etc.

 

[disney<333]

It was 10:20 and we only had 40 minutes left with our Season Passes. Mitch was being very grumpy. He was complaining how he didn't want to get back at 1 and then drive home tomorrow and then be wiped out for his business trip a few days later, etc, etc! Finally, I wasn't going to let him my ruin my night so I told him he can go back to the room by himself. So he did. He usually is never grumpy and loves Disney but just this night and the 1st night with Spectro, I duno.
Next thing we did was Snow White. It had no wait and we hadn't done it in a year so we figured why not. If you ask me, this could use a refurbishment. The car moves to fast so you can't see everything.
When we got off we went to go find Happy, the stuffed animal in the gift shop. You see, one time at the outlet store they had all the drawfs except Happy for sale, dirt cheap. I don't think he is very happy about that! No Happy to be found! The CM said they didn't make him in a couple of years!
The girls decided they wanted to go try to see Tink and her fairy friends. Why hadn't I thought of this?! The park was empty so the fairies must of been! I got a times guide to see if they were still there. Turns out we missed them by like 5 minutes.
Next, I believe an Empty pooh was calling our name! Empty honey pots were going by!
It was now exactly 9:48. 12 more precious minutes! We decided to wrap things off with Buzz! We practically ran over there! Of course no wait! I'm pretty sure we each took our own car. When we got off the park was officially closed.
Our year of magic was over. (We weren't going to be back for 2 years!) Slowly, we made it towards Main Street.

We went inside Casey's and got brownies and milk so I didn't need strollers for the girls. The plan was to go to the Emporium for a little bit after we finished our brownies outside of Casey's. We were drying our tables and that was when I heard it. I watch Spectro Magic on Youtube a lot so I know the music to heart! There wasn't supposed to be a Spectro! The times guide didn't say it and the park was closed!! It really was a magical surprise! We went outside and found a place to sit; it would start any minute.
This is what MS looked like with less then 5 minutes before a parade.

Have you ever seen anything like this?!

It was just us and maybe about 10 parties!

Thanks Disney for such a magical surprise! Spectro was a great way to wrap things up! After it ended we wandered in the Emporium for a minutes and then left. We hopped on the monorail to the TTC and then took the bus back to the hotel. We had missed the last bus for our hotel by a few minutes so we had to take the bus to the hotel across the street and then walk. It was just us and a lady. After the bus driver dropped off the lady he asked us where we were staying. I told him the Double Tree. He said he wasn't supposed to take us there but he thought the kids looked tired (They were sleeping!.) so he would! How nice!! He took our right to the front door. I noticed he had a little tip jar so I gave him a couple of dollars.
Coming up Next: How many times will I loose my kids!?!

 

[All7OfUs]

What a magical, pixie-dust filled way to finish out your APs!!! Score for Disney!!

Sorry to see your trip end, though. Is it really 2 years that you won't be back??

 

[disney<333]

What a magical, pixie-dust filled way to finish out your APs!!! Score for Disney!!

Sorry to see your trip end, though. Is it really 2 years that you won't be back??

It was a really fun night!
At the time we figured we had enough Disney it's time to expand our horizons but with flights, car rental, hotel, etc. It is cheaper to do Disney. I've brainwashed DH to want Disney for a long weekend instead of the beach.
We'll get back soon, just waiting for work schedules to see when.

 

[BippityBoo]

WOW!!!!! What a magical night with a surprise Spectro I am so impressed you rode with no wait and had such a great night. I am also SO impressed the bus driver brought you home to your hotel. How much magic in one night can you get

Can't wait to see what kid you lose HEHE.

 

[disney<333]

WOW!!!!! What a magical night with a surprise Spectro I am so impressed you rode with no wait and had such a great night. I am also SO impressed the bus driver brought you home to your hotel. How much magic in one night can you get

Can't wait to see what kid you lose HEHE.

I don't think any of us will forget that night anytime soon. It was so much fun; walking on any ride we desired. The crowds were like that all day! I wish we spent the whole day at mk like planned.
Gee, thanks. There was more then one case of a lost child!

 

[MeMom]

It was a really fun night!
At the time we figured we had enough Disney it's time to expand our horizons but with flights, car rental, hotel, etc. It is cheaper to do Disney. I've brainwashed DH to want Disney for a long weekend instead of the beach.

We've looked at other places, too, but for having things everyones likes, along with the bus transportation to come and go and meet up and such, and with AP rates for rooms and TIW card for food, Disney World works for us!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Great updates! Barbara
and all the magic you guys encountered is just awesome!
to start off having such an empty park on a Thanksgiving holiday is unheard of! might have something to do with the unlisted surprise of Spectro the nights it is listed is usually packed!...I would love to figure out what time of year is like that the entire week :

Connie

 

[Charlefours]

BTW- Yesterday, in Walmart, I saw in the girls' clothing area they had a little area with belts and such. On that shelf they had Mickey kookie pens for $3.50!

thanks for the head's up. I want to go there as it not a normal place (Walmarts are fairly new in MI). I will check it out. Thanks!

Wow!! What a magical night. To see Dumbo empy--:cloud9 I know they always say to catch it the very beginning or the very end of the day. I cannot imagine seeing it empty (unless the park is closed). Lots of great rides at the very end with no wait. To cap it off, a surprise Spectro!! Truly a magical night. :

 

[disney<333]

We've looked at other places, too, but for having things everyones likes, along with the bus transportation to come and go and meet up and such, and with AP rates for rooms and TIW card for food, Disney World works for us!

I like that I can just buy a ticket for the whole year, we're only 3 hours away, and if we need to we have points for a lot of hotel chains.

Great updates! Barbara
and all the magic you guys encountered is just awesome!
to start off having such an empty park on a Thanksgiving holiday is unheard of! might have something to do with the unlisted surprise of Spectro the nights it is listed is usually packed!...I would love to figure out what time of year is like that the entire week :

Connie

Thanks Connie!
It was such a great night! When you find that out please let me know. Right now, I think a trip labor day week might be in my future.

thanks for the head's up. I want to go there as it not a normal place (Walmarts are fairly new in MI). I will check it out. Thanks!

Wow!! What a magical night. To see Dumbo empy--:cloud9 I know they always say to catch it the very beginning or the very end of the day. I cannot imagine seeing it empty (unless the park is closed). Lots of great rides at the very end with no wait. To cap it off, a surprise Spectro!! Truly a magical night. :

No problem! Wow, in my area you can't go a block with out seeing a CVS, Walmart, or Publix.
I know! It really, really was an amazing night! I've only seen Dumbo empty during EMH at 2 AM!
With my girls being older, they like Dumbo but if we don't do it then there are no meltdowns. We usually do Buzz, PP, and then Pooh before moving on to Splash and BTM.

 

[disney<333]

Checking in one last time! I'm going to bed, have to wake up at 4 AM. Emily and I have to be at the school by 5 tomorrow for Islands of Adventure. I haven't been there since 2002. Naturally, when I'm on One fish two fish, I'll wish it was Dumbo. Overall, I think it will be a fun day. I'll try to do a few live updates from my phone on here while in the park.

 

[disney<333]

I'm back and here to report not one drop of rain. It was SO hot, however! Walking from Jurrasic Park to Seuss landing and back was ughhhhh. It was a very fun day. I had a few issues though. One was so bad that Universal will be hearing about it tomorrow. Really terrible! You'll have to wait to find out what it was. A lot of the rides kept breaking down. Dueling Dragons was back up again and had a 10 minutes wait the whole day. It was so packed!! There wasn't a lot of people on vacation, but a LOT of schools. It was the yellow shirts and blue shirts (us) that took over the park. I waited 20 minutes to buy a water bottle! I'll upload pictures tomorrow. Overall, it was a fun day. Do you guys want a full report on it, a few of my favorite pictures, or you just don't care?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

we went last year at this time and the parks were overrun with school trips! until the rain chased them off...
sorry you had issues...I would like to hear anything you feel is worth sharing! your choice Barbara...glad to hear there was no rain for the kids!

 

[disney<333]

we went last year at this time and the parks were overrun with school trips! until the rain chased them off...
sorry you had issues...I would like to hear anything you feel is worth sharing! your choice Barbara...glad to hear there was no rain for the kids!

I remember seeing a lot of school groups at MK last year on I think it was May, 22nd. What park were you in that day?
I'll share about IOA once I'm finally done with November and the couples trip.

 

[disney<333]

"At last, grant my wish as well!" Sorry, I'm listening to Wishes but I thought that would be a nice way to start things off because......................


















There is a good chance we're going to Disney in September!
We're thinking of the 4th to the 9th. Let's see here, we won't be going on a trip the 4 of us this summer with our crazy schedule. Also, Mitch has to go on a lot of business trips. The girls and I are still going to NY in about 3 weeks. We go every year and stay at my mom's house to see the family. Anyway, so free dining came out and I figured let me just plug in some dates and see what numbers come out here. I tried POP with free CS dining only 82$ a night! I priced out meals and it would be about 100$ a day plus room! What a deal! We could get 4 day tickets and upgrade those to the weekday passes! By the looks of it we will not have black-out dates for Spring Break next year! I told Mitch about it and he thought it was a great idea going labor day week. He said he shouldn't have to go on a business trip but he won't know until the end of July so we can't book until then.
I spent a good portion of the night coming up with plans. Yes, I have a life this was after Mitch and I went out the two of us and then came home and watched the Proposal. (Great movie, so funny!)
Saturday, 4- Check in around 1. Use 2 CS credits for lunch at the food court, go to the pool, I heard there is a free sand art activity around 3. Go to the room change and go to DTD.
Sunday, 5- Sea World. Leave around 5 and then mini-golf. (This comes with the hotel package, correct?) dinner at POP, arcade.
Monday, 6- EMH at AK, after parade got to DHS for EMH, we'll probably go back to POP first.
Tuesday, 7- MK all day.
Wednesday, 8- Epcot all day.
Thursday, 9- EMH at MK before leaving.
What do you think? Do you think the Halloween decorations will be up? MNSSHP starts 5 days after we leave.
Also what building at POP would you recommend? I want something quiet, but near Everything Pop and the bus stop. Is the 70s good?